Feminism Isn’t Just for Females

Feminism is a very interesting thing that is seen from many different viewpoints.  Overall, feminism is the advocacy for women’s rights based on the equality of human rights.  Now, it’s a lot more complicated than that.  But generally, that’s what it is.

The top main reasons I hear as to why people don’t support feminism are either “I’m not a woman” or “I don’t need it” and honestly, they both make me sad.  They both boil down to the idea that if you don’t get something out of something, you don’t need to support it.  Which is kinda selfish.  If you really think about it, how many charities and nonprofits would disappear entirely if we were all focused on self gratification?  I can’t imagine many of the medical research programs would be as far as they are without the help of selfless individuals.  In a similar way, if oppressed women were the only ones to speak up about their issues in order to make a change, how far could they get?  This would be like if our neighbors quit helping us in times of need just because they weren’t to gain anything from us.  If you see someone suffering and you have every ability to help, how could you not?

To outline feminism in more detailed terms, I’m going to use some information from the Global Fund for Women’s Rights.  On their website they help me more clearly explain exactly what I perceive feminism to be.

“Women’s rights are the fundamental human rights that were enshrined by the United Nations for every human being on the planet nearly 70 years ago. These rights include the right to live free from violence, slavery, and discrimination; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn a fair and equal wage.”

It’s not saying women and men are equal beings, it’s simply saying that men and women are both human and therefore both deserve the same basic human rights.  It’s easy to misconstrue fighting for equality as fighting for men and women to be seen as equal in their nature.  That’s simply not in line with what feminism is as a concept.  There are some people who fight in the name of feminism who are just on such a different track fighting for things that are not feminist.  While I believe that people are all entitled to their own opinions, I also believe that communication is important.  In order to communicate and do so in an efficient and effective manner, your words must be clearly and accurately portrayed.  We all have to mean the same things when we speak, otherwise we have chaotic conversations and meaningless arguments about things we actually agree on.  As my father has been telling me almost every day for as long as I can remember, words have specific meanings and it is very important to use them correctly in order for people to properly understand what you’re saying.

I do think that may be the largest problem I have with the varying meaning of feminism. There are so many strong women who could be joining together instead of confidently speaking out against some of the same things for which they claim to fight.  A few of my female friends claim to not be feminists just because they’re not oppressed or because they want strong male leadership.  That’s totally cool, it’s just not at all what this is about.  Feminism is not at all related to whether men and women are made for the same purposes.  I have several friends who believe differently than me when it comes to having women in positions of leadership especially in religious contexts.  That’s where that argument belongs.  In a religious context.

I recently read a book that was recommended to me that I would like to also recommend.  It’s a book by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and is titled We Should All Be Feminists.  With a title like that I’ll admit I expected a pushy book telling me why men are the worst and women really and truly could thrive more fully without them.  Now personally, I am a very picky reader and it was kinda hard for me to start a book with a title like this.  I also have the attention span of a goldfish when it comes to reading, so this challenge my friend had put me up to was daunting to say the least.  However, I’ll admit that all of my expectations were shattered.  I sat down and read half of the book and then sat down once more to read the other half.  Quick and painless and so informative.  I learned a lot, I agreed with a lot, and it made me think.  The best part was, I didn’t have to agree with it all.  This book came across in a way similar to that in which I intend my posts be read.  I want you to leave with more knowledge than you came with and if I can’t give you that, I’d like to offer a new perspective at the very least.  This book encompassed that delivery perfectly.  It touched on some of the issues commonly associated with feminism such as the wage gap, positional inequality, and general ignorance.  It also opened my eyes to deeper thinking when it comes to topics like these.  These are things we shouldn’t be afraid to discuss with each other.  If you don’t know, don’t be afraid to ask.  If you’re afraid to ask, google it and then fact check with friends you trust.

Honestly, if you’re not sure if women deserve the same fundamental human rights as men, I truly want to talk to you and learn more.  I’ve laid out my side in a semi jumbled manner and I think it’s fair that you have the chance to lay out your perspective. This post has been in the works for several months now and between the time I spent writing it and the time I’ve spent stewing on it, I figure it’s about time to just send it. Again, this is open to constructive criticism as well as gentle and not hateful discussion and I’m looking forward to different points of view.